Clevelandmoto BadAss Bikes on a Budget 99 Moto Guzzi California V11EV
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- Опубликовано: 15 авг 2019
- We take the '99 Moto Guzzi V11ev out for a ride. A very refined motorcycle from the late 90's with a few quirks. For sale at www.clevelandmoto.com
I own a Cali EV (80) 2002. I’ve got it second hand and I love it from the first time I started the engine.
I picked up a lightly used 2003 Cali Stone last August as a birthday present to myself and what a gem! Really stole it too as the owner had just dropped it from $3,500 to $2,800! With only 5,800 miles on it! Best bike i have ever owned without question. Best sounding, best handling, most stable and honestly? Plenty of power. I can't imagine what the 1400's must be like but my 1100, 1064 actual, rated mid 70's hp and it is just fine. Honestly i am mostly into vintage bikes. Have an i convert 1000, 1976 and a 1980 XS1100 Yamaha and this Cali Stone really feels nearly as strong. Now i know that the XS1100 pulls harder when really cranked on but honestly, the difference over all is not that much. I see so many video reviews mention the power almost like it's an embarrassment. Far from it and i'm not working it that hard at all. The worst i can say is that i would have preferred a more upscale Cali model with alloy spoked rims but i guess i could swap my i convert rims onto it. Wouldn't be an issue if i didn't know about the upgrade on the top of the line bikes. Or if it was a Harley because the only traditional spoked wheels would be chromed steel, but i do so maybe a swap is in order. Not that fond of not having a tach either but i guess i could rob the mini aftermarket one off the XS1100 that i put on when the factory one died. I better stop trying to write a book here and reveal that i wanted a Griso and i'd found one at a Seattle area Honda dealer for 5K but when i stumbled on the listing for this California Stone for $2,200 less i was in a mental battle as the Griso was low miles also. After much thought and admitting to myself that at age 68 the bargain basement special was a better fit for me. Also, i know the Griso has had some electrical glitches and camshaft and lifter issues i didn't straddle the fence long. Even though i could have reasoned that the Griso riding position is not that sporting i know it does put some weight onto your fore arms. Anyway, i'm so glad i stuck to my convictions, even though i have no idea how many hundreds of miles i am from the nearest Moto Guzzi dealer and didn't wuss out and get a Honda or something real common with actual dealers a reasonable distance away. I'm in love and hope the honeymoon lasts forever. So far so good. Not a single issue with mine. I'll admit to liking the exclusivity of riding and owning Moto Guzzi and i see them commanding good money on the used market for a brand with such limited production and sales. To me they are among the few brands build to last a lifetime and engineered to be rebuildable. If you can rack up that amount of miles. At 55,000 my i convert shows almost no engine wear and i knew a guy with 180,000 on a 1980 850 T3. Enough to get me off my CX500 and on a Moto Guzzi as soon as i could scrape the coin together. OMG! The sound out the LaFranconi's on my Cali is so beautiful and big twin beefy! A bike that exceeded my every expectation. IMO the best kept secret in the world of motorcycles and yes, i've owned a BMW. An R90/S. Good but not near the fun or simplicity and way more ; $$$! Ciao!
These are great motorcycles. They look unusual, but they're a Tonti, and a 98 EV is my first Moto Guzzi. I rode mine 25,000 miles in the first year, and it is an amazing value and sounds beautiful. Because of the appearance they may never be worth much, which means they'll remain a fun, practical, unique and affordable motorcycle. Learn to adjust the throttle position sensor, adjust the valves, and do general maintenance, and these will keep going. A 2008 KTM Superduke R and a 2018 Moto Guzzi V7III Special (bought both of those new; my EV was a $900 turd in someone's front yard) are my two other motorcycles, and neither has been used as much as my 98 V11 EV.
I have the 1999 Bassa V11 very similar to this one, it has about 73,000 miles it is about the most reliable MC I have owned it will sit all winter pull it out check it over and it starts right up. It's been in my stable for about 20 yr.'s does not have the floor boards but has the heel toe rocker shift which really feels right for this bike. Easy to maintain and joy to ride.
The first California model dates back to 1971, it was designed in consultation with LAPD, to replace the V7 that was in use previously there.
When I bought mine I was surprised how different the riding position was than similarly styled H-Ds I'd owned. Arms were more outstretched and I was seated in a more upright position. Took a bit of getting used to. Like it though.
I agree with all of the positive comments listed in this posting on the Guzzi's. I own a 1999 M.G.Bassa & a 2007 M.G.Vintage. No problem's ever with either bike. They are both durable & dependable. They are my favorite bike's, along with my 2014 R1200R BMW. Been riding since age 16 & am now 69y.o.
Got a 2010 Cali Vintage 3 months ago ( white colour) and love it.I have other 2 smaller bikes ( 2008 650 BMW X Country and 1984 Vespa ).After some big bikes,this is my first MG and i am loving it: the sound,style,sensations....it is a piece of history in your garage.Nice review,pal
I had an 1989 carb model red colour.1995 injection model yellow and still drive my 2003 ev .love the California.
Great video, the voice sounded very clear even when speeding up quite impressive. I am looking at upgrading from MG Nevada 750 to a Cali 1100 so had you been closer than 7000miles I would have buzzed you.
a very positive happy review
Excellent Review!!
excellent review, I'm always most interested in how smooth a bike is, buzz, rattle, etc, and that bike is really interesting me.
That's because Moto Guzzi has the brake bias well worked out. Set so the left front comes on enough to maximise stopping power without locking them up.
I wish the mirrors on my 96 Carb Cali were as steady as these or as steady as my 94 Triumph America's. I am still getting used to my "new" Cali, but liking it more with each ride. A PO put 7/33 gearing on it so it does have good acceleration, but the speedo reads 20 MPH high at freeway speeds.
Quite a handsome bike! The audio on the freeway is crystal clear and no visible head shake, so the windshield does a remarkable job. If I may digress a bit what is your opinion of the new V85TT engine? Believe it or not I have also looked at a leftover Milano. I just love the classic chrome pipes over the Stones black. Either way Guzzi is a great value. The dealers though are a good 150 miles away.
Is that Corazzo jacket?
Very good review. I Liked your narration very much. I need/like a motorcycle dealer like you.
Great video mate. I am a Guzzi long term lover. Have an 850 Le Mans 11 and looking for a Cali to share the ride.
You stated that you're a Moto Guzzi dealer. I recently bought a 2000 V11 Bassa. Can't find any info on the "Bassa". Is this the same as the 2000 California?? I want to learn as much as I can about these bikes and where to obtain parts. Great video on this '98. Thanks for any info/help.